The Sixers travel to Maryland and are handed their 3rd straight defeat by 20+ as they lose to the Bullets by 25 points, 123-98.

Philadelphia had 5 players score in double figures but as has become the norm this season the team effort wasn't enough to overcome the opposition. Fred Carter led the scoring with 27 points, followed by Kevin Loughery with 17, Freddie Boyd with 16, Leroy Ellis with 11, and Manny Leaks with 10 to round out the top half of the scoring column. The bottom half showed Dave Sorenson totaling 8 points, John Block 6, John Trapp 2, and, in familiar territory, Dale Schlueter notching just 1 and Hal Greer collecting another goose egg.

Baltimore was paced by Phil Chenier who hit for 28 points. Flynn Robinson was a close second as he almost quadrupled his 6.9 PPG real life average by putting up 26. The "Big E" Elvin Hayes was next with 17, followed in order by, Mike Riordan with 14, John Tresvant 9, Tom Patterson and Wes Unseld who both tossed in 7, Stan Love with 6, Kevin Porter 5, and Dave Stallworth who claimed 4.

Next Game:
12/13/72 vs Los Angeles at The Spectrum. The Sixers are 0-1 against the Lakers this season, losing 111-101 on November 19 in Tinseltown.

Philadelphia is on a roll, but it's not the good kind. For the fourth game in a row the Sixers lose by 20+ as the Lakers clobber them at The Spectrum by 28 points, 132-104.

The Lakers exhibited the kind of balanced scoring attack that Sixers fans can only dream about. Los Angeles had 8 players in double figures, led by Jim McMillian who hit for 31. The Logo, Jerry West, was second in scoring with 16, followed by Bill Bridges and Wilt Chamberlain who each added 14, Gail Goodrich with 13, Pat Riley and Travis Grant who both put up 11, and former Sixer Mel Counts with 10 to finish out the double digit scorers. Keith Erickson collected 8 and Jim Price 4 to complete the scoring.

The Sixers had 5 in double figures, with a couple of near misses, but the horsepower just wasn't there. John Block topped Philadelphia as he tossed in 22, with Fred Carter next as he claimed 18. Leroy Ellis with 17, John Trapp with 14, and Freddie Boyd with 10 were the other double digit scorers. Dave Sorenson with 9 and Manny Leaks with 8 both just missed the 10 point mark. The last two in the scoring column were Hal Greer who totaled 4 and Kevin Loughery who added 2. Dale Schlueter grabbed yet another goose's egg and now has one-third of a dozen for the season.

Next Game:
12/16/72 vs Buffalo at The Spectrum. The Sixers have 1 win against the Braves this season in 4 games.

actual result:
Los Angeles - 128
Philadelphia - 90

Philadelphia record:
actual (3-29)
replay (4-28)

BillS

Post subject:Posted: May 29, 2018 - 11:14 AM

Joined: Jun 29, 2012
Posts: 355

Status: Offline

Well, they've got a shot against Buffalo. Time to break that -20 point streak!

Jeff Nicholson

Post subject:Posted: Jun 01, 2018 - 12:18 PM

Joined: Aug 21, 2014
Posts: 443

Status: Offline

BillS wrote:

Well, they've got a shot against Buffalo. Time to break that -20 point streak!

They woulda, coulda, shoulda had a shot against the Braves, but, being the Sixers, they wound up shooting themselves in every single foot on the team.

Game 33

Buffalo Braves @ Philadelphia 76ers
The Spectrum
December 16, 1972

The Sixers broke their 20 point losing streak, sort of. The Buffalo Braves, holders of the second worst record in the '72-73 NBA season at 21-61 along with the Portland Trail Blazers, visited The Spectrum and absolutely waxed the Sixers, winning by 32 points, 119-87. Even when you're the worst team in the league, losing, at home, to the second worst team is bad enough. Losing by 32 makes it even more difficult to accept. But the extra salt in the wound is only managing to score 87 points.

Buffalo had 5 players in double digits, with 2 others a free throw away. Bob Kauffman and Bob McAdoo led the Braves in scoring and were just a bucket away from 30 as they each netted 28. Elmore Smith with 17, Dave Wohl with 14, and Howard Komives with 10 were the other double digit scorers. Dick Garrett and Randy Smith each had 9 points, with John Hummer putting up 4 to complete the scoring. Bill Hewitt somehow finished the game with 0 points.

Philadelphia used 10 players in the game, with all 10 getting into the scoring column, but their efforts were woefully short of what was needed. John Block topped the Sixers in scoring with 15 points. If your leading scorer for the game in the NBA of the early 70's only had 15 points, you were most likely in for a very long night. There were 3 other Sixers who hit for 10 or more, Fred Carter with 13, as well as Freddie Boyd and Hal Greer who both finished on the number. Kevin Loughery and Manny Leaks each put up 9, followed by John Trapp with 7, Dale Schlueter and Dave Sorenson who both had 6, and Leroy Ellis at the bottom of the scoring list with 2.

Next Game:
12/20/72 at Detroit. This will be the first meeting of the season between the Sixers and Pistons.

actual result:
Buffalo - 126
Philadelphia - 103

Philadelphia record:
actual (3-30)
replay (4-29)

Jeff Nicholson

Post subject:Posted: Jun 22, 2018 - 12:11 PM

Joined: Aug 21, 2014
Posts: 443

Status: Offline

Game 34

Philadelphia 76ers @ Detroit Pistons
Cobo Arena
December 20, 1972

It wasn't a loss by 30, or 20, but it was still a loss. The Sixers hit the road and pulled into the Motor City where they lost by 13 to the team that used to call Ft. Wayne, Indiana home, 117-104.

Philadelphia had 6 players in double figures, including 2 with 20 or more, but, like a broken record whose lyrics repeat throughout the season, the effort just wasn't enough. Fred Carter was at the top of the scoring column as he netted 21, with Kevin Loughery close behind as he tossed in 20. The double digit scoring was rounded out by Freddie Boyd and Leroy Ellis who each totaled 13, Manny Leaks who claimed 11, and John Trapp with 10. Mike Price had 8, Dave Sorenson 6, and Dale Schlueter 2 to complete the scoring.

The Pistons also had 6 players reach double digits, with 3 of those collecting 20 or more. Curtis Rowe and Dave Bing led the scoring as they each hit for 24, with Bob Lanier a couple of buckets behind as he claimed 20. Don Adams with 15, Willie Norwood 11, Stu Lantz 10, John Mengelt 8, Chris Ford 4, and Jim Davis with 1 finished out the 117 total. Bob Nash failed to break into the scoring column, ending the game with 0 points.

Next Game:
12/22/72 @ Houston. The Sixers are 0-2 vs the Rockets this season.

Make that 1-2. The Sixers surprise the Rockets in the Magnolia City, leaving town with a 15 point victory, 111-96.

It's amazing what can happen when everyone who takes the floor makes a worthwhile contribution. All 10 players for the Sixers made it into the scoring column, 6 of those notching double digits. Fred Carter led the scoring with 23 points, followed by a trio who each hit for 14, John Trapp, Kevin Loughery, and Leroy Ellis. Freddie Boyd with 12 and Mike Price with 10 completed the 6. Dave Sorenson and Manny Leaks were a bucket short of double digits as they each put up 8 points. The bottom of the scoring column saw some familiar names but the numbers were different as Dale Schlueter totaled 5 points and Hal Greer claimed 3.

Houston also had 6 players in double figures, but they were hurt by a lack of production from their leading scorer. Jack Marin shows 18 in the scorebook, with Mike Newlin going for 16, Calvin Murphy 15, Don Smith 14, and Jimmy Walker 12. Real life leading scorer Rudy Tomjanovich was well short of his 19.3 PPG as he could only net 11 points. Cliff Meely hit for 6, Stan McKenzie 3, and Otto Moore 1 to round out the scoring for the Rockets.

Next Game:
12/23/72 @ Atlanta, the first of 2 straight against the Hawks. The Sixers are 0-1 vs the team from Georgia this season.

actual result:
Philadelphia - 103
Houston - 116

Philadelphia record:
actual (3-32)
replay (5-30)

Jeff Nicholson

Post subject:Posted: Jul 16, 2018 - 02:11 PM

Joined: Aug 21, 2014
Posts: 443

Status: Offline

Jeff Nicholson

Post subject:Posted: Jul 25, 2018 - 01:18 PM

Joined: Aug 21, 2014
Posts: 443

Status: Offline

Game 36

Philadelphia 76ers @ Atlanta Hawks
Omni Coliseum
December 23, 1972

Normalcy returns as the Sixers travel to the Peach State and lose to the hometown Hawks by 15 points, 126-111.

Philadelphia had 6 players score in double digits but they just didn't have the firepower to overcome the twosome of Maravich and Hudson. Leroy Ellis led the Sixers in scoring with 20, followed by John Trapp and Kevin Loughery who each put up 17. Fred Carter totaled 16, Freddie Boyd 13, and Hal Greer 10 to round out the double digit scorers. Dave Sorenson had 8, Manny Leaks 5, Mike Price 4, and Dale Schlueter 1 to complete the scoring for the Sixers.

The Hawks also had 6 players notch 10 or more, led by the duo of "Pistol Pete" Maravich who hit for 31 and "Sweet Lou" Hudson who claimed 24. Eddie Mast had 18, Bob Christian and Jim Washington 16 apiece, and Herm Gilliam 11 to finish out the double figure scoring. The bottom of the scoring column showed Steve Bracey with 7 and Don May with 3.

Next Game:
12/27/72 vs Atlanta, the second of 2 in a row against the Hawks. This one will be played in the Steel City.

actual result:
Philadelphia - 112
Atlanta - 124

Philadelphia record:
actual (3-33)
replay (5-31)

BillS

Post subject:Posted: Jul 26, 2018 - 01:05 PM

Joined: Jun 29, 2012
Posts: 355

Status: Offline

Looks like the Sixers missed John Block for that Hawks game. Also, it seems it was an off-night for Fred Carter. If Carter plays more like usual and Block is in, Sixers win that game.

Jeff Nicholson

Post subject:Posted: Jul 27, 2018 - 12:58 PM

Joined: Aug 21, 2014
Posts: 443

Status: Offline

BillS wrote:

Looks like the Sixers missed John Block for that Hawks game. Also, it seems it was an off-night for Fred Carter. If Carter plays more like usual and Block is in, Sixers win that game.

You're being very kind to the Sixers

Carter did have a bit of an off night, but, they were able to defeat the Rockets recently, helped by Rudy T having an off night, so, I guess what goes around really does come around !

They're just a terrible team, which is reflected in both their DEF and HCA ratings.

Basketball Reference gives them 15 expected wins so I think they'll wind up somewhere around that number. The season isn't quite half over and they've got 5 W's so they'll need to pick it up just a bit.

I'm dating myself with this terminology, but I'm having a blast with this replay. POTG is the basketball game that I had been looking for, I just wish that I had discovered it sooner than I did.

Thanks for following along !

Jeff Nicholson

Post subject:Posted: Aug 16, 2018 - 11:45 AM

Joined: Aug 21, 2014
Posts: 443

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Game 37

Philadelphia 76ers vs Atlanta Hawks
Pittsburgh, PA
December 27, 1972

The previous game in Atlanta was just a warmup as for the second time in two straight games the Hawks emerge victorious against the Sixers, nearly doubling their prior winning margin by claiming a 29 point victory in the Steel City, 131-102.

Philadelphia was overmatched and outgunned, but that's been the story of the season, as 5 players in double figures and 2 others coming close just wasn't enough. Fred Carter led in scoring as he totaled 22, followed by John Block with 18, Leroy Ellis 15, Kevin Loughery 13, and Manny Leaks 10 to round out the double digit scorers. John Trapp with 9 and Mike Price with 8 just missed claiming double figures. The bottom of the scoring column showed Freddie Boyd tossing in 4 points and Dale Schlueter notching 3.

Atlanta was paced by the duo of Pete Maravich and Lou Hudson who were once again too much for Philadelphia to handle, way too much. Maravich put up 41, Hudson hit for 35, and their combined 76 points accounted for almost 60% of Atlanta's total. In the supporting cast, Herm Gilliam had 14, George Trapp 12, giving him family bragging rights over his brother John who only had 9 for the Sixers, and Jim Washington 10 to complete the double figure scoring list. Don May just missed double figures as he totaled 9 points, with Bob Christian adding 5, Steve Bracey 4, and Eddie Mast 1.

Next Game:
12/30/72 vs Boston in Providence, RI. The Sixers are 0-3 against the Celtics this season with the closest game being decided by 30 points.

actual result:
Philadelphia - 120
Atlanta - 121

Philadelphia record:
actual (3-34)
replay (5-32)

Jeff Nicholson

Post subject:Posted: Sep 11, 2018 - 03:38 PM

Joined: Aug 21, 2014
Posts: 443

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Game 38

Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics
Providence, RI
December 30, 1972

The scoring difference wasn't 30 or more but the game was still another checkmark in the Loss column for the Sixers, as for the fourth time in four games against the Celtics this season they come up short, this time in Providence, RI by 11 points, 124-113.

Everyone who took the floor for Philadelphia made a contribution, but it wasn't enough against a team that won 68 games in the real life '72-73 season. Fred Carter topped the scoring column with 21, followed by Leroy Ellis who had 20. Kevin Loughery notched 18 points, John Block 16, and John Trapp 13, to round out the double digit scorers. Dale Schlueter added 8, Freddie Boyd and Manny Leaks 7 each, and Mike Price 3 to complete the scoring.

The defense of the Sixers did a comendable job in containing the top 3 scorers for the Celtics, John Havlicek, Dave Cowens, and Jo Jo White. However, that same defense failed miserably in trying to contain Don Chaney, who led the Celtics in scoring with 28 points, more than double his real life average of 13.1 PPG. White was next on the scoring list with 23, followed by "Hondo" who put up 21, Cowens who netted 15, and Art Williams with 11 to finish the double figure scoring. Paul Silas just missed double figures as he totaled 9 points, with Steve Kuberski claiming 7, Hank Finkel and Paul Westphal 4 each, and Tom Sanders 2.

Next Game:
1/2/73 @ Buffalo. The Sixers are 1-4 vs the Braves this season.

actual result:
Philadelphia - 107
Boston - 117

Philadelphia record:
actual (3-35)
replay (5-33)

BillS

Post subject:Posted: Sep 11, 2018 - 03:45 PM

Joined: Jun 29, 2012
Posts: 355

Status: Offline

A much more competitive game than many have been! That's a funny scorers' table for the Celtics, with Chaney leading all scorers. I'm sure it happened a couple of times during that season, but probably not many. It's nice that POTG allows stuff like that to happen.

Jeff Nicholson

Post subject:Posted: Sep 13, 2018 - 12:49 PM

Joined: Aug 21, 2014
Posts: 443

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BillS wrote:

A much more competitive game than many have been! That's a funny scorers' table for the Celtics, with Chaney leading all scorers. I'm sure it happened a couple of times during that season, but probably not many. It's nice that POTG allows stuff like that to happen.

Yes, the Celtics were no doubt expecting another easy win like the first three had been.

Chaney had to max out his scoring rolls, and get help from Philadelphia's horrible Defensive rating to get those 28 points. I really like it that these things can happen without them being forced. Is Chaney going to score 28 very often, not by a longshot. But, these type of things do happen and, like you, I'm glad that the POTG engine accounts for them. Something similar also happened in Game 26 when Art Williams, also of the Celtics, scored 19 points when he had just a 3.2 PPG real life average.

The flip side of the above is also true. In all of the POTG Basketball that I have played, I've had a very small number of times where someone with 3 Scoring Rolls came up with goose eggs all 3 times. On one occasion, just one, a player with 4 Scoring Rolls ended up 0-0-0-1. That's a killer for any team's chances. In Game 1 of the 1968 ABA finals that I posted a couple of years ago, Connie Hawkins scored just 12 points from 5 Scoring Rolls in the #1 spot. Not surprisingly, the Pipers went down to defeat. I pointed those things out just to illustrate that in POTG a part-timer can come up with a super game, and good, or even great players can fall flat.

As they used to say at carnivals, "Close, but no cigar." The Sixers travel to Buffalo and lose to one of the two second worst teams in the league by the narrowest of margins, 109-108. The Sixers are now 1-5 against the Braves this season.

Philadelphia had 5 players in double figures, with a 6th just missing, but still came up short of what was needed. Fred Carter led the Sixers in scoring with 22, with Leroy Ellis next as he put up 17. Kevin Loughery hit for 16, Freddie Boyd 14, and John Block 13 to round out those with 10+. Dave Sorenson just missed joining that group as he finished with 9 points, followed by John Trapp with 7, Mike Price 5, Dale Schlueter 3, and Manny Leaks 2.

The Braves came within 6 points of having everyone who took the floor finish with double digits. As it was they had 6 players score 10 or more, topped by Bob Kauffman who ended the game with 20 points. Bob McAdoo and Randy Smith each netted 15, followed by Fred Hilton who totaled 13, Elmore Smith 12, and Dave Wohl 10 to complete the 6. Dick Garrett tossed in 9, Howard Komives 8, and Bill Hewitt 7 to round out the scorecard.

Next Game:
1/5/73 @ Portland. The Sixers are 0-1 vs the Trail Blazers this season, scoring only 74 points, at home, in the game on November 25th.